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Asking Jewish Questions: Foundation of Judaism

Rabbi Alex Braver

Board Room

Discover a deeper sense of what it means to live a Jewish life in a welcoming space that encourages questions and critical thinking. Whether you’ve been thinking about converting or just want to fill some gaps from your childhood Hebrew school education, come explore Jewish history, meaning, and spiritual practice.in our world, and discover how Jewish mysticism can be relevant to your life.

*Tifereth Israel is committed to eliminating barriers to participation. No one is ever turned away due to financial hardship.

The Ethical Life: Jewish Values in an Age of Choice

Rabbi Michael Ungar & Rabbi Alex Braver

Board Room

The complex issues of modern society are, at their core, issues of ethical and moral concern. Together, we will gain an solid understanding of how Jewish ethics can inform our discussions and decisions.

In a subject fraught with tension, where there is no right or wrong answer, come learn about differing perspectives within Jewish communities in a calm environment designed to evoke thought-provoking discourse.

*Tifereth Israel is committed to eliminating barriers to participation. No one is ever turned away due to financial hardship.

Sparks: The Radical Mysticism of the Hassidic Masters

Rabbi Alex Braver
Katz Chapel

Wrestle with the challenging, spiritually creative teachings of the Hassidic masters, who believed that a divine spark can be found within everything in our world, and discover how Jewish mysticism can be relevant to your life.

Learn to understand Jewish prayer through understanding a basic Hebrew vocabulary. Students will acquire about 200 words from the siddur, creating a more meaningful, joyful, and spiritual prayer experience.

Learn about bikkur holim (the mitzvah of visiting the sick) and help create a community that cares for its members, through a study of traditional Jewish texts, organizing strategies, and theories of pastoral care.

Study the writings of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, whose life embodied a unique mixture of traditional Jewish piety and observance with a radical commitment to social justice and activism. Sponsored by the Tifereth Israel Sisterhood.

Torah Trope Tutorial
Elizabeth Sherowski
Katz Chapel
Learn how to chant the Torah trope or refresh your skills — a great opportunity for parents of B’nei Mitzvah students to learn to read a passage for their child’s simcha.

Shabbat Book ClubRabbi Arye Berk
Following Kiddush Luncheon
Upper Social Hall
Join us in reading Yossi Klein-Halevi’s book, Like Dreamers, which tells the true story of the elite Israeli paratroopers who retook the Old City of Jerusalem during the Six Day War and how, over the next 40 years, they became leaders of the Israeli peace and settlement movements.

It is a tree of life for those who grasp it, and all who hold onto it are blessed.

—Proverbs 3:18

Asking questions, and wrestling over potential answers, is at the heart of the Jewish experience. Our connection to Torah – both the ancient sacred text, as well as our broader quest for knowledge, meaning, and insight – is what keeps Judaism rooted in tradition while also serving as a vibrant, ever-evolving and ever-changing response to the challenges and issues of our times.

On this page, you’ll discover a number of pathways for learning, all of which can help spark your intellectual and spiritual curiosity. These offerings would not be possible without the help and wisdom of the many teachers of Torah in our community (both clergy and lay leaders), as well as the support and dedication of our Jewish Learning Committee co-chairs, Cathy Levine and Elizabeth Sherowski.

I hope you’ll find your own unique way to grasp Torah, the tree of life that is the source of our wisdom, and discover through it that learning in our community can be a source of blessing.

Rabbi Alex Braver

Tifereth Israel is an open and accepting community for all Jews and their loved ones, and we strive to embrace both Jewish and non-Jewish family members alike. We are committed to creating an egalitarian environment that is actively welcoming to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and physical or mental disability. No one is ever turned away due to financial hardship.